I love books, movies, and TV shows that deal with life in outer space and space exploration. I am a huge Star Wars dork and a big Star Trek fan (they are not mutually exclusive)! If you’re as big of a fan of outer space as me, or you’re shopping for a loved one who also loves Space, then look no further than this guide. Happy Space Exploration!

*** Please note that I am not receiving any kind of commission for mentioning these companies; I just like these products.***

The 100 TV Series and Book Series

The CW

The TV series is based on a book series with the same name, written by Kass Morgan. The three books ― with a fourth due out in December 2016 ― center on a space colony set 97 years after a devastating nuclear apocalypse wiped out almost all life on Earth. Resources are scarce on the space station, so all crimes – regardless of their nature or severity – are punishable by ejection into space (“floating”) unless the perpetrator is under 18 years of age. After the Ark’s life-support systems are found to be critically failing, 100 juvenile prisoners are declared “expendable” and sent to the surface – near former Washington, D.C. – in a last ditch attempt to determine whether Earth is habitable again, in a program called “The 100.”

The Huffington Post just released an interesting video interview with Kass Morgan about her writing background and her inspiration for the series. Check it out here. I haven’t read the book series yet, but I am a huge fan of the TV show.

The TV show airs on the CW during its regular season. The first three seasons are available to stream online or purchase (checkout Netflix for the first two seasons, Hulu, and Amazon Video). The show was renewed for a fourth season, which should air sometime in 2017.

The Martian Movie and Book

The movie is based on the book with the same name, written by Andy Weir. The basic plot is that an astronaut becomes stranded on Mars after his team assume him dead, and must rely on his ingenuity to find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive. I saw the movie in theaters, and have yet to read the book. I absolutely loved the movie, and I have heard nothing but wonderful things about the book as well! If you want a movie or a book that gives you hope about humanity, then check out The Martian.

One interesting and fun fact about the movie is that the movie partnered with NASA to get as much real NASA technology in the movie as possible, making it that much more believable. Check out this article from NASA, explaining the real technology used in the movie.

The movie was released in 2015, and has since left the theaters. You can watch it online or purchase it (checkout Amazon Video).

The Astronaut Wives Club TV Series and Book

The TV series is based on the book with the same name, written by Lily Koppel. As America’s Mercury Seven astronauts were launched on death-defying missions, television cameras focused on the brave smiles of their young wives. Overnight, these women were transformed from military spouses into American royalty. They had tea with Jackie Kennedy, appeared on the cover of Life magazine, and quickly grew into fashion icons.

Annie Glenn, with her picture-perfect marriage, was the envy of the other wives; platinum-blonde Rene Carpenter was proclaimed JFK’s favorite; and licensed pilot Trudy Cooper arrived on base with a secret. Together with the other wives they formed the Astronaut Wives Club, meeting regularly to provide support and friendship. Many became next-door neighbors and helped to raise each others children by day, while going to glam parties at night as the country raced to land a man on the Moon.

As their celebrity rose—and as divorce and tragic death began to touch their lives—they continued to rally together, and the wives have now been friends for more than 50 years. The Astronaut Wives Club tells the real story of the women who stood beside some of the biggest heroes in American history.

The TV series aired on ABC in 2015 and only lasted for one season. I read both the book and watched the TV series and I loved both! I listened to the audio book version while I was driving to and from work in Miami, FL, and it was such an interesting read! The historical time period of this book is rich, and it’s really intriguing to get the backstory on the women involved behind the scenes of the Space Missions of the era.Purchase your copy of the book here.